Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government Department of Health
Friday May 29 1998
The Gauteng Health Department is aware that the Medicines Control Council has advised Genesis Research Centre that its use of oxytherapy is, in the present circumstances, illegal and that it should immediately stop this form of treatment.
The MCC's action followed a spread of reports in the Saturday Star in which details were provided of the experimental oxytherapy taking place at the Genesis Research Centre in Southern Johannesburg. As a result of these reports, MCC officials and a doctor from the Gauteng Health Department visited the Centre on Tuesday May 26.
Based on the information gathered during and after this visit, the Department fully supports the MCC's position. The therapeutic value of ozone, particularly in relation to people with AIDS, has not yet been proven and the treatment itself carries high risks. It is for this reason that we believe the therapy should only be administered under the most careful supervision and with the requisite clinical back-up.
When we visited the Genesis Centre with the MCC this week, people were undergoing treatment without a single medical doctor on the premises. Furthermore, there was no equipment to deal with any emergency which might arise from an adverse reaction to ozone - which is an extremely toxic substance.
We have established that one woman was admitted to a private hospital after undergoing treatment at the Genesis Centre and was in intensive care for three days. While we cannot say beyond all doubt that this was due to the treatment she received at the centre, the probability exists.
The Department regards well-structured clinical trials as the only acceptable way to go in establishing the therapeutic value of oxytherapy for HIV/AIDS. The Department does not discount the possibility of a positive outcome in terms of relieving the condition. We understand that a Kenyan-based researcher, Basil Wainwright, will be presenting a paper on this matter at an international AIDS conference in Geneva at the end of June.
There is already one proposal for oxytherapy clinical trials in the pipeline in South Africa. The MCC has also advised the Genesis Centre how they can go about obtaining the go-ahead for approved research on consenting human subjects.
We understand the desperate search for effective relief by people who have illnesses like AIDS, for which there is still no known cure. Many such people courageously contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge by participating in experimental treatments. We believe the health profession owes it to them to conduct such experiments in the safest possible circumstances.
Dr Liz Floyd Director for Aids and Communicable Diseases
Note: Dr Floyd is in an all-day workshop and not available for comment. In her absence Dr Adriaan Myburgh may be interviewed on 011 355 3384. Further information also available from Jo-Anne Collinge (082 574 5510)
Released by the Directorate for Health Promotion & Communications